The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Ann Haydu Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on January 13, 2026
ISBN: 0063348144
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
Auden “Denny” Greene is a 12-year-old girl who is in no rush to leave childhood. She loves spending time in her shed with her best friend Runa, developing Sorrowfield, the world they created full of princesses and dragons. Sorrowfield is safe, a comforting place far from the reality of an alcoholic mother and a father who puts too much responsibility on her. Meanwhile, Princess Auden is the last princess in Sorrowfield. Her family has been taken by dragons and it’s up to her to save Sorrowfield, now that she’s twelve. Auden and Denny suddenly find themselves in each other’s world and they are the only ones who know they have switched places. As they work to fit into their new locations, they discover their inner strength and power as they fight each other’s dragons.
This novel would be a great addition for any library serving 3rdth-5th graders. It’s a fun twist on the switching places trope and is a great coming of age story, especially for kids who aren’t in a rush to grow up. The real Denny faces peer pressure and changing friends, which many kids can related to, all while dealing with her mother who has relapsed in her battle with alcoholism. Denny and Auden are great examples of characters learning to speak their truths and being true to who they know themselves to be. This novel could also be a good entry point for kids who are hesitant to read fantasy. The story is told simultaneously from the perspective of each girl, so half of the story takes place in an imaginary place, and the other half is most certainly realisitc.
Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library